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Ronny Henriquez RP | MIA
Marlins' Ronny Henriquez: Secures first win of season
Henriquez (1-0) picked up the win Sunday, working a scoreless sixth inning in an 11-4 victory over the Nationals. He didn't strike out or walk a batter.
The 24-year-old righty needed only four pitches to breeze through his frame, and the Marlins then broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the inning. Henriquez has been effective to begin the season and has worked his way into a higher-leverage role than anticipated -- he's posted a 1.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 8.1 innings, and his three holds are already a new career high.
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Brad Lord RP | WAS
Nationals' Brad Lord: Getting another start
Lord is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
After winning a spot in Washington's Opening Day bullpen coming out of spring training, Lord moved into the rotation last week when Michael Soroka (biceps) landed on the injured list. Because he wasn't fully built up for a traditional starting role, Lord was lifted after three innings and 55 pitches in his outing last Tuesday against the Dodgers. He fared well in the tough matchup, striking out four Los Angeles batters while allowing no runs on two hits and two walks. Lord's workload will likely be restricted once again Monday, but he could be able to reach five innings if he's efficient with his pitch count. The 25-year-old rookie tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing likely to come Saturday in Colorado.
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Steven Matz RP | TB
Cardinals' Steven Matz: In rotation at least three weeks
The Cardinals are expected to use Matz as part of a six-man rotation for at least three weeks, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
The Cardinals are moving to a temporary six-man rotation because they have just one scheduled off day from April 11 to May 7. Matz will enter the rotation this week and appears in line to make at least four starts before the team re-evaluates its pitching plan. The left-hander has collected a 2.31 ERA and 6:2 K:BB over 11.2 innings covering five relief appearances this season.
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Aaron Bummer RP | KC
Braves' Aaron Bummer: Returns from bereavement list
Atlanta activated Bummer from the bereavement list Monday.
Bummer missed the weekend series against the Rays but has rejoined the club for its early-week series in Toronto. The southpaw has yielded three runs with a 7:4 K:BB over five innings this season.
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Michael Petersen RP | MIA
Braves' Michael Petersen: Sent back to minors
Atlanta optioned Petersen to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
Petersen was with the big club for just one day, tossing two scoreless frames in one relief appearance. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Aaron Bummer, who is back from the bereavement list.
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Hayden Birdsong P | SF
Giants' Hayden Birdsong: Still unscored upon
Birdsong picked up a hold during Sunday's 5-4 win over the Yankees, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out three and hitting one batter.
The 23-year-old entered the game in the sixth frame and retired all three batters he faced. The right-hander later hit Aaron Judge with a pitch in the seventh but escaped the inning without allowing a hit. Birdsong was efficient, facing seven batters and throwing 15 of his 20 pitches for strikes. After falling short in his bid for a spot in the Giants' Opening Day rotation, Birdsong has been dynamite in relief, having yet to allow a run while posting an 0.89 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB with three holds across nine innings over four appearances. The Giants don't seem motivated to have Birdsong get stretched back out for a starting role anytime soon, as manager Bob Melvin told Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News on April 5 that the right-hander is being treated as a true reliever at this point after San Francisco chose not to have him piggyback No. 5 starter Landen Roupp in his first start earlier this month.
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Matt Strahm RP | KC
Phillies' Matt Strahm: Gives up first run this season
Strahm gave up one run on one hit in one inning Sunday against St. Louis, striking out three.
Strahm threw 15 of his 19 pitches for strikes but struggled with his command, allowing a Yohel Pozo leadoff double to eventually come around to score following a wild pitch. It was the first run Strahm allowed so far this year, so the southpaw should remain Philadelphia's top left-handed setup man while Jose Alvarado works as the primary closer. Through 7.1 innings, Strahm has yielded only four hits, registered a 12:2 K:BB and tallied three holds.
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Ryan Pressly RP | CHC
Cubs' Ryan Pressly: Notches fourth save
Pressly earned the save in Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Dodgers, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.
The veteran reliever made quick work closing out this win, completing the task in seven pitches, all of which were strikes. Pressly is now a perfect 4-for-4 in saves opportunities this season. However, under the hood, the 34-year-old has shown signs of slowing down, as his 3.38 ERA across eight innings is underpinned by a 6.11 FIP, 2.13 WHIP and 3:6 K:BB.
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Colin Rea SP | CHC
Cubs' Colin Rea: Fills in admirably against Dodgers
Rea took a no-decision Sunday against the Dodgers. He struck out five over 3.2 innings while allowing a run on four hits and one walk.
After not pitching since April 7, Rea was tasked with filling in for Justin Steele (elbow) against the mighty Dodgers. Rea impressed over this 68-pitch outing, throwing 42 strikes and generating nine whiffs. The 34-year-old has pitched to a 1.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB across nine innings and should continue to hold a rotation spot as Steele is slated to miss the rest of 2025. Rea currently lines up to make his next start against Arizona at home next weekend.
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Justin Martinez RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Works smooth eighth inning
Martinez struck out two over one inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Brewers.
Arizona led 3-2 when the right-handed Martinez opened the eighth inning against three scheduled righty hitters. He retired the side in order, including a lefty pinch hitter. That held the lead for lefty A.J. Puk heading into the ninth, when the Brewers had lefties scheduled. The late-game bullpen deployment is working without manager Torey Lovullo having to name one closer. Martinez has yet to allow a run or a walk while striking out nine over 5.2 innings.